SYNOPSIS. Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from Regency Era, England… but she doesn’t know it yet.
Then Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie’s high school at the beginning of the year, and she feels a connection to him, almost like she knows him. She can’t stop thinking about him, but whenever she tries talking with him about the mysteries behind her feelings, he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching him is even more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has started to become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can’t she get him out of her mind?
Even though Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, fighting fate isn’t going to be easy.
THOUGHTS. This book caught me by surprise! Not only that it’s inspiration was from Taylor Swift’s Love Story music video but it was indeed enchanting; though the beginning had a slow start, leastwise, it didn’t fail me. Up until now, the scenes were still fresh in my mind. I was really engrossed and just wanted to finish it! Remembrance was quick and compelling love story. Madow wrote words that were simple yet full of real emotions thus bringing out an understandable story of love, passion, and magic. I loved the idea of incorporating Pride and Prejudice, and adding some historical facts too. It truly blended with the theme of reincarnation. Madow did make a great effort of researching about reincarnation and past lives. The blend of the parallel universe of past and present were perfectly paced. I loved the characters in the story. I truly felt Lizzie’s emotions and not to the extent of overmuch. Her voice was natural and pleasing without flowery speech. Her flashbacks were vividly written free from ruining the past and present. Drew was almost a perfect male lead, handsome, charming, smart, and rich. He tended to be arrogant to protect Lizzie from the worst thing of the past that gave way to their returning to another life. The connection between Lizzie and Drew were so magical and so real. Their love for each other were surreal and beautiful. I believe that you can’t just ignore your feelings towards the one you truly love because it is much harder and painful in the end. The supporting characters as well were great components to the story. They were almost life-like and flawed. Madow did balance the characters both as best friends and enemies. She made Chelsea and Jeremy illusions of the past, perhaps they have their own past lives and I can’t wait to find out. I can’t wait for more of the Transcend Time Saga. Remembrance is a one of a kind fairy tale with a fuse of the contradicting destiny. It will truly leave you believing in true love and second chances. If you believe in fairy tales, Remembrance is for you. If you believe in reincarnation, Remembrance is for you. If you believe that love could transcend time, Remembrance is definitely for you. A highly recommended debut love story.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR. In the fall of 2009, Michelle saw Taylor Swift’s Love Story music video for the first time. She thought up a story to go along with the video, and decided to write the beginning of this story as a homework assignment for class. That story eventually became her first novel, REMEMBRANCE.
Michelle lives in Florida, and is hard at work writing more novels for young adults.